Summer travel is driving a surge in passenger traffic through Beijing’s ports of entry and exit, as foreign visitors for tourism, business and study tours fill the city’s streets and major attractions.
From July 1 to 24, Beijing's border inspection authorities processed over 500,000 foreign nationals, up 30 percent year on year. Among them, more than 190,000 entered the country under visa-free or temporary entry permit policies, which is 1.7 times the number recorded during the same period last year.
The rising flow of arrivals is reflected in the experiences of foreign tourists and students now exploring Beijing and other Chinese cities.
"My trip was almost a month. I visited Beijing, Xi'an, Sichuan's Chengdu and Chongqing. I really liked it. I really liked your food, your culture. You have beautiful, both historical sites and natural scenery. I met a few people who were really nice to me and overall I really enjoyed it," said Wilk Marcin, a visitor from Poland.
Recently, a group of international students from over 20 countries, including Canada, Australia, Argentina, and Brazil, took part in an educational tour of Shougang Park in Beijing's Shijingshan District.
They climbed the No. 3 blast furnace, took in panoramic views of the Olympic ski jump, and explored creative cultural spaces. They gained firsthand insight into the park’s transformation from an industrial relic into an innovative hub.
"I really do enjoy Chinese culture. I find that every time I come to China, I learn something new and something that I never would have found out about. I think if I had to choose two adjectives, I'd probably say, maybe, 'historical.' I feel like there's a lot of, like, continuity over time of these really old and amazing traditions. And I think the other one would be, maybe, 'surprising.' I feel like there's always something new to learn," said Eve Cargill, a student from Australia.
Monday marks the second anniversary of the inscription of Beijing's Central Axis on the UNESCO World Heritage list. Many historical sites along the route are drawing increased attention.
The Temple of Heaven has undertaken extensive work in architectural restoration, heritage preservation, and adaptive reuse. Six centuries ago, the artisans relied solely on their hands and ingenuity. Today the site is a major draw for international visitors.
"I really liked it. I've already been to the Summer Palace, to the Forbidden City and here. But to be honest, I think this is the one that I prefer. This is the most beautiful one, to be honest. We also learned about how it was made with only wood and no nails at all, put together the pieces without any nails or anything. And it's really impressive," said Alvaro Garcia Casado, a visitor from Spain.
Expanded visa‑free entry, more convenient payment services and broader departure tax refund policies are making China travel increasingly popular among overseas visitors, driving gains for hotels, restaurants and retail businesses.
Beijing sees summer spike in foreign arrivals under visa‑free entry
Beijing sees summer spike in foreign arrivals under visa‑free entry
